The Sauces that Make California Fish Grill a Unique Dining Experience

California Fish Grill is a popular fast-casual seafood restaurant with locations across California. What really sets California Fish Grill apart from other seafood chains is their wide selection of unique flavorful sauces. These sauces add delicious flavours and allow customers to customize their meals.

In this article, we will explore the sauces offered at California Fish Grill and explain what each one is like Understanding the sauces is key to getting the most out of a meal at California Fish Grill

An Overview of California Fish Grill’s Sauce Selection

California Fish Grill offers 5 signature sauces:

  • Garlic Butter
  • Cajun Sauce
  • Seasoned Olive Oil
  • Dynamite Sauce
  • Green Goddess

These sauces range from mild to spicy and complement the fresh seafood perfectly. Some sauces pair better with certain dishes, while others can be used on anything on the menu.

The sauces are all made in-house using high quality ingredients. California Fish Grill rotates some limited-time seasonal sauces as well. Having a rotating selection ensures there is always something new to try during each visit.

Garlic Butter – A Classic Crowd Pleaser

Garlic butter is one of the most beloved sauces at California Fish Grill. As the name suggests, this sauce features a rich, buttery flavor with notes of garlic.

The sauce is made using fresh garlic, butter, and a blend of savory seasonings. The ingredients are combined and melted together to form a decadent, creamy dipping sauce.

Garlic butter pairs perfectly with steamed dishes like clams, mussels, and shrimp. It also complements fried items like calamari. The butter helps balance the richness of fried foods.

This sauce is great for seafood lovers who want to add flavor without too much heat. It’s sure to be a hit with kids and those who are sensitive to spice.

Cajun Sauce – A Favorite for Spice Lovers

Those who like a bit of heat will love California Fish Grill’s Cajun sauce. As its name indicates, this sauce contains Cajun-inspired seasonings and a dose of cayenne pepper.

The sauce has a creamy base made with mayonnaise and sour cream. Onion, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice provide tangy, savory notes. Paprika and cayenne bring smoky, moderately-spicy flavor.

Cajun sauce stands up well to fried seafood like shrimp, calamari, oysters, and fish. It’s also great on top of tacos and seafood salads. The cool, creamy base balances the heat.

This sauce will satisfy big fans of spicy flavors. It brings a taste of New Orleans to the West Coast.

Seasoned Olive Oil – Simple and Healthy

For a lighter sauce option, try the seasoned olive oil. As the name states, this sauce is made from quality extra virgin olive oil and Italian seasonings.

Oregano, basil, parsley, and garlic infuse the olive oil with aroma and herby flavor. Salt and pepper provide seasoning. Lemon adds some brightness.

The seasoned olive oil allows you to taste the flavor of the seafood. It provides some enhancement while still being light.

This sauce pairs well with delicate, mild entrees like grilled fish, shrimp skewers, and salmon. Drizzle it over salads for added interest too.

People watching their weight will appreciate this lower-calorie sauce. It allows you to add some extra flavor without a lot of fat, cream, or butter.

Dynamite Sauce – Fiery Flavor in Every Bite

On the spicier end of the sauce spectrum is the aptly named dynamite sauce. This thick, tomato-based sauce gets its heat from a hefty dose of jalapeños.

The jalapeños are blended with mayonnaise, ketchup, onion, vinegar, and a mix of chili powders and spices. The result is a creamy, piquant sauce that really packs some heat.

A little of the dynamite sauce goes a long way. It’s recommended for those who really enjoy spicy food.

The sauce pairs best with fried appetizers like popcorn shrimp, calamari fries, and chicken tenders. It also adds sizzle to fish tacos and burritos.

If you’re a diehard fan of spicy flavors, don’t hesitate to order some dynamite sauce on the side. Just have plenty of water handy to manage the heat!

Green Goddess – A Zesty, Herb-Packed Sauce

Green goddess is a tangy, herbaceous sauce made with mayonnaise, sour cream, and plenty of fresh herbs. It gets its name from the green color.

The sauce contains parsley, tarragon, chives, anchovies, and lemon juice. These ingredients give it a bold, tangy flavor with delicious herby notes. The mayonnaise and sour cream create a rich, creamy base.

Green goddess sauce is very versatile. It pairs well with grilled and fried fish, shrimp, clam chowder fries, and more. Drizzle it over Caesar salad for a flavorful finishing touch.

People who enjoy the bright, aromatic flavor of fresh herbs will be big fans. It’s a more interesting take on creamy salad dressing.

Choosing the Right Sauce for Your Meal

With so many tasty sauces to choose from, it can be tough to decide which one to get. Here are some tips on pairing sauces with menu items:

  • For fried foods like calamari, shrimp, and chicken tenders, go for garlic butter, Cajun, or dynamite sauce.

  • With grilled fish, salmon, or shrimp skewers, try garlic butter, seasoned olive oil, or green goddess.

  • For fish tacos and burritos, Cajun and dynamite sauce are good options.

  • Pair clam chowder fries with garlic butter or green goddess sauce.

  • For lighter dishes like grilled fish or salads, stick with seasoned olive oil or green goddess.

  • If you can handle the heat, dynamite sauce is good on just about anything!

The servers at California Fish Grill are happy to make recommendations if you’re having trouble deciding. Don’t hesitate to ask them what sauces pair best with which dishes!

Recreating the Sauces at Home

The unique sauces are one of the highlights of eating at California Fish Grill. While the restaurant doesn’t share their exact recipes, you can recreate similar sauces at home.

For garlic butter, simply melt butter with minced garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix Cajun seasoning into mayonnaise and sour cream for Cajun sauce. Blend jalapeños, spices, and ketchup for a dynamite-style sauce.

Making the sauces yourself allows you to tweak them to suit your tastes. Amp up the heat or add different herbs and spices. You’ll be able to enjoy California Fish Grill flavors even when you’re not dining at the restaurant.

Something for Every Taste Bud

The sauces are what really make the menu at California Fish Grill stand out from the competition. There are options for every palate – mild, spicy, herby, classic, and more.

Take some time to get familiar with the sauce selection before your meal. This will help you decide what to order and which sauces will best complement your food. Don’t be shy about ordering multiple sauces for the table so you can sample several.

With authentic flavors, quality ingredients, and clever names, these sauces have garnered a cult following. They take the experience at California Fish Grill to the next level and keep fans coming back. The sauces make the fresh seafood even more crave-worthy.

So next time you’re in the mood for seafood, head to your local California Fish Grill. Try some new sauces and experience these craveable flavors for yourself. Just be sure to come hungry – the sauces make it hard to stop at just one serving!

what are the sauces at california fish grill

We only serve seafood that is rated Best Choice or Good Alternative by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch® program or Eco-Certified by a third party.

Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch® has been a leader in marine conservation around the world for 20 years. They teach fishermen how to use sustainable methods of harvesting and keep an eye on how the fishing industry affects the environment.

California Fish Grill – National Grilling Month

FAQ

How many California Fish Grill are there?

Company type
Private
Headquarters
Newport Beach, California, U.S.
Number of locations
58
Area served
United States
Key people
Bob Holden (CEO) Paul Potvin (CFO)

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